India's Space Launch Cost Highest at $13,302/kg; Study Cites ISRO's Small Rocket Fleet & Infrequent Launches

India's Space Launch Cost $13,302/kg in 2025 vs Global Avg $3,868; Only 5 Launches vs Target 30

India's space sector faces a critical challenge: high launch costs ($13,302/kg in 2025) and infrequent launches (5 vs target 30) undermine competitiveness against SpaceX and China. The editorial argues for a shift from romantic nationalism to a business-focused approach emphasizing reliability, cost reduction, and heavy-lift capacity to capture global market share.

PM Modi to 20+ Space Start-ups: India's Private Space Ecosystem Can Attract Global Talent Pool

PM Modi met over 20 space start-up founders ahead of National Space Day, lauding their courage and stating that India's private space ecosystem can become a global magnet for scientific talent. The government promised stable policy support, boosting the morale of India's rapidly expanding space start-up sector, which now has over 400 companies.

ISRO Launches EOS-05: India's First Geo-Imaging Satellite in Geosynchronous Orbit; SC Invokes Article 142 to Quash CJP Protest Cases

A day of high exam relevance: ISRO successfully launched EOS-05, India’s first dedicated geo-imaging satellite in geosynchronous orbit, breaking a failure streak. The Supreme Court used its extraordinary power under Article 142 to close cases linked to CJP protests, raising important constitutional questions. Other key updates include OpenAI’s new autonomous AI model, Manipur’s NRC-first demand for Census deferral, mistrust in GDP data, and Tata Chemicals’ Kenya dispute.

PM Modi Meets 20 Space Startups on National Space Day, Pledges Unwavering Support for Sector

PM Modi interacted with 20 space startups ahead of National Space Day, emphasizing India's emergence as a global space hub. He assured policy continuity and unwavering support as the sector sees a boom post-2020 liberalization, with Skyroot Aerospace becoming the first private Indian company to conduct an orbital launch.

ISRO Clarifies Pvt Sector Role: Targets $44B Space Economy, Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, Moon Mission by 2040

ISRO has addressed employee concerns, stating that private sector participation in space is not a threat but an expansion of the ecosystem. The agency will focus on advanced missions like Bharatiya Antariksh Station (2035) and crewed Moon mission (2040), while routine production shifts to industry. India aims to grow its space economy from $8.4B to $44B by 2033.

ISRO Transfers SSLV, PSLV, LVM3 to Private Sector Under Indian Space Policy 2023

ISRO is transitioning from manufacturing operational launch vehicles to a pure R&D role, transferring SSLV, PSLV, and LVM3 production to private industry. This shift, mandated by the Indian Space Policy 2023, aims to expand India's share in the global space economy from less than 2% ($9 billion in 2026) to $40-45 billion over the next decade. The move opens up significant commercial opportunities for private players while preserving ISRO's expertise for strategic and scientific missions.

ISRO to Focus on Big Missions, Private Sector to Handle Launches: SSLV Tech Transferred to HAL

ISRO is being repositioned like NASA – focusing on exploration and R&D while private industry takes over routine launches. IN-SPACe chairman's remark that ISRO will eventually stop making launch vehicles sparked debate, but ISRO chairman clarified no privatisation. The transfer of SSLV technology to HAL signals the new direction, but concerns over revenue loss and institutional independence remain.

TN Budget 2026-27: India's First AI City 'Arivagam' & Space Industrial Zone with ₹35,062 Cr MoUs

Tamil Nadu's TVK-led government, in its maiden Budget for 2026-27, announced India's first AI and innovation city 'Arivagam', a Space Industrial Investment Zone in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, and signed MoUs worth ₹35,062 crore that could create 14,790 jobs. This signals a major push for technology and industrial growth in the state.